Chrysanthemum plant

ABSTRACT

This novel chrysanthemum originated as an induced mutation of Fiesta, and is distinguished therefrom by its medium-yellow blossoms.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Festoon (No. 70318G06).

Festoon is a product of a planned sport induction program which had theobjective of expanding the color range of the parental cultivar, Fiesta(No. 70318006; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,632). Fiesta was a product of aplanned breeding program which had the objective of creating newcultivars with yellow inflorescence color, daisy type inflorens, uniformeight week response, and the ability to produce commercially acceptablequality in year round pot mum programs.

Festoon was discovered and selected by William E. Duffett and Walter H.Jessel, Jr. on Apr. 2, 1975 as one plant within a flowering block ofFiesta in a controlled environment in Barberton, Ohio. Plants within theflowering block were derived from stock plants which had been irradiatedas rooted cuttings with an x-ray source of 1800 r units.

Fiesta was originated by the present inventors in 1969 as a product of acontrolled breeding program. The female, or seed parent, was Cloudbank(No. 57032003; unpatented; commercially available), a white anenomeoriginated by the present inventors from a cross between No. 55246017(unnamed seedling) and No. 541721-1 (unnamed seedling).

The male, or pollen parent of Fiesta, was Bonnie Jean (No. 21580E01;unpatented; commercially available), a white daisy of parentage unknownto the present inventors.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Festoon was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in July, 1975in a controlled environment in Barberton, Ohio by a technician workingunder formulations established and supervised by Walter H. Jessel, Jr.and William E. Duffett. Horticultural examination of selected unitsinitiated Apr. 2, 1976 has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for Festoon are firmly fixed and areretained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Festoon has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength. Thefollowing observations, measurements, and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Barberton, Ohio under greenhouse environmental conditions whichapproximate those generally used in commercial practice, as described inChart A which appears at the end of the present specification. A lightintensity chart of general use is shown in ASHAE Trans., Vol. 64, page64, and reference is made thereto.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Festoon which in combination distinguishthis chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Daisy inflorescence type.

2. Flat inflorescence form.

3. Medium yellow inflorescence color with minimum color oxidation.

4. Diameter across face of inflorescence from 70 to 85 mm. at maturity.

5. Uniform eight week flowering response to photo-periodic short-daycontrol.

6. Tall plant height (requiring one to two long day weeks prior to shortdays and one application of 2500 ppm. B-9 SP 14 to 21 days after thebeginning of short days to obtain a flowered plant height of 30 to 45cm.)

7. Semi-spreading branching pattern.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical inflorescenceand foliage characteristics of Festoon. Color representations are asnearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, themost similar existing cultivar in comparison to Festoon is the parentalcultivar, Fiesta. Reference is made to attached Chart B which comparescertain characteristics of Fiesta with the same characteristics ofFestoon. In comparison to Fiesta, Festoon has different inflorescencecolor. The diameter across face of inflorescence, plant height,branching pattern, flowering response period, inflorescence form, andinflorescence type of Festoon are similar to those of Fiesta.

In the following description, color references are made to The MunsellLimit Color Cascade, 1972 edition. The color values were determinedbetween 2:00 and 2:30 P.M. on June 17, 1976 under 200 foot-candle lightintensity at Barberton, Ohio.

Botanical Classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Festoon.

Inflorescence

Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Daisy.

Corolla of ray florets:

Color (abaxial).--26-4 to 25-5.

Color (adaxial).--26-4 to 25-5.

Corolla of disc florets:

Color.--23-10 (immature) to 27-6 (mature).

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present disc florets only.

Gynoecium.--Present both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

General appearance: Semi-spreading branching pattern; tall height.

Foliage:

Color (abaxial).--20-15 to 20-12.

Color (adaxial).--20-11, but more greyed.

                                      CHART A                                     __________________________________________________________________________    AVERAGE GREENHOUSE CHRYSANTHEMUM ENVIRONMENTS                                 USED FOR BARBERTON, OHIO                                                      TEMPERATURES USED                                                                        Bright                                                                             Cloudy                                                                            LIGHTING                                                                              BLACK CLOTH                                                                            SUPP                                     SEASON                                                                              Night                                                                              Day  Day USED    USED      CO.sub.2                                __________________________________________________________________________          65° F                                                                       65° F                                                                       60° F                                                                      2 to 4 weeks                                                                          To Sept. 15                                                                            From                                                         at 3 Hours Per                                                                        on - 5:30 PM                                                                           Oct. 15                                  FALL  to   to   to  Night                                                                                 Off - 7:30 AM                                                                          300 ppm                                        56° F                                                                       80° F                                                                       75° F                                                                      of 7-10 f.c.                                                    58° F                                                                       65° F                                                                       60° F                                                                      2 to 5 weeks                                              WINTER                                                                              to   to   to  at 5 hours Per                                                                        NONE     300 ppm                                                      Night                                                           62° F                                                                       70° F                                                                       65° F                                                                      of 7-10 f.c.                                                    58° F                                                                       65° F                                                                       60° F                                                                      2 to 4 weeks                                                                          From Mar. 15                                                                            To                                                                  on - 5:30 PM                                                                           Apr. 15                                  SPRING                                                                              to   to   to  at 5 Hours Per                                                                Night   Off - 7:30 AM                                                                          300 ppm                                        65° F                                                                       80° F                                                                       75° F                                                                      of 7-10 f.c.                                                    62° F                                                                       70° F                                                                       65° F                                                                      1 to 2 weeks                                              SUMMER                                                                              to   to   to  at 3 Hours Per                                                                        on - 6:00 PM                                                          Night            NONE                                           68° F                                                                       90° F                                                                       75° F                                                                      of 7-10 f.c.                                                                          Off - 8:00 AM                                     __________________________________________________________________________

                                      CHART B                                     __________________________________________________________________________    COMPARISON OF FESTOON AND FIESTA                                                                DIAMETER ACROSS          FLOWERING                                                                             INFLORESCENCE                     INFLORESCENCE                                                                            FACE OF     PLANT                                                                              BRANCHING                                                                             RESPONSE                                                                              FORM AND                   CULTIVAR                                                                             COLOR      INFLORESCENCE                                                                             HEIGHT                                                                             PATTERN PERIOD  TYPE                       __________________________________________________________________________           Medium     70 to 85 mm.                                                                               Tall                                                                              Semi-           Flat                       Festoon                                                                              Yellow                      spreading                                                                             8 week  Daisy                             Light                                                                  Fiesta Yellow     70 to 85 mm.                                                                               Tall                                                                              Semi-           Flat                                                          spreading                                                                             8 week  Daisy                      __________________________________________________________________________    COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN IN A GREENHOUSE IN BARBERTON, OHIO           UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED IN CHART A.                       __________________________________________________________________________

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium;Ramat, known by the cultivar name Festoon and particularly characterizedas to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of daisy inflorescencetype; flat inflorescence form; medium yellow inflorescence color;diameter across face of inflorescence from 70 to 85 mm. at maturity;uniform eight week flowering response to photoperiodic short-daycontrol; tall plant height; and semi-spreading branching pattern.